237 Step By Step: The Clash of Titans in the Ring

The moment Ye Chen set aside Pereira's right arm, he grabbed his wrist.

The biggest difference between ground masters and novices is not merely a matter of strength. It's not simply about being in an upper or lower position. Rather, the significant distinction lies in the overall strategic thinking involved in ground control, which surpasses just one or two steps ahead.

For instance, when Ye Chen held Pereira's right wrist in place, he effectively pinned his arm on the mat. Only then did Pereira realize he was in trouble. Ground masters typically do not keep their arms in one fixed position for prolonged periods; they understand that if an opponent cannot be easily pushed away or controlled, it's time to change tactics and find new ways to escape the situation. Even if a ground rookie reacts more slowly, they would still respond almost instinctively as soon as Ye Chen lifted his arm.

This lack of sensitivity to the situation indicates that Pereira's overall strategic thinking on the ground was at least two steps behind Ye Chen. While he was focused on his first two steps, Ye Chen was already advancing to his third and fourth. This discrepancy in awareness could prove detrimental in such high-stakes dynamics.

Regardless of whether it involves wrestling or grappling, being controlled by one arm is a dangerous sign. Although Pereira is not highly experienced in ground techniques, as a brown belt in Jiu-Jitsu, failing to respond when pinned could lead to an inaccurate assessment of his skills. Therefore, he had to set aside any other thoughts and concentrate entirely on freeing his right hand, using every ounce of his strength to break free from Ye Chen's grip.

Ye Chen anticipated this move. He understood that he could not rely solely on one arm to keep Pereira's wrist pinned down indefinitely. However, he capitalized on the brief moment when his opponent was focused on regaining control of his arm. This realization underlines the essence of ground tactics—initiating steps to create openings while the opponent remains distracted. In that moment, Pereira became a challenge that Ye Chen was keen to solve.

Suddenly, Ye Chen pushed off from the ground, half-standing as he lifted Pereira by his waist.

"Bang!"

He stood up and landed a punch, and Pereira made almost no defensive maneuvers—only an instinctive attempt to dodge, which ultimately proved to be too slow. Ye Chen's fist connected solidly with Pereira's face. The punch wasn't particularly heavy, but at that moment, Pereira instinctively raised his arms to shield himself, fearing Ye Chen would follow up with another blow.

He then attempted to push away Ye Chen with his left hand while trying to leverage his previously restrained left leg to lift himself. His right leg also loosened its grip on Ye Chen's waist, as he needed that strength to create an effective counter. In his half-raised position, generating power was overly challenging, as his midsection was off the ground, compromising his ability to exert force.

Once his right leg was freed from Ye Chen's grasp, Pereira finally rediscovered the strength to push against him. His right leg pressed against Ye Chen's abdomen, complemented by the upward force from his left leg.

However, Ye Chen did not wait for Pereira to finish formulating his strategy. The moment he felt Pereira's right leg release, he took action. He stood up fully, retaining his balance and control. Despite being in a lower position, Pereira's strength was considerable, augmented by his mental resolve at that moment.

Keeping him pinned in a half-defensive posture only allowed Pereira to throw short punches; the type of half-standing pulse Ye Chen had just executed could only be successful once. On his second attempt, Pereira's defenses would be ready and adapted, complicating any potential follow-up moves from Ye Chen. Not only would it be challenging for Ye Chen to land an effective blow, but Pereira could also strike back at any moment, transforming the tides of the match. The risks involved would overshadow any perceived benefits from a second engagement attempt.

Thus, Ye Chen's strategic decision to rise effectively allowed him to escape Pereira's half-defense. Now, even if he chose to remain still or defensive, he could leverage the fact that Pereira was burdened by the physical toll of his focused defensive position—a factor that should never be underestimated. Furthermore, at such close quarters, Pereira could not afford to rise up, leaving him exposed to Ye Chen's next calculated strike.

The atmosphere within the arena erupted with energy. In everyone's memory, Pereira had never appeared so vulnerable and fragile. Just moments ago, Ye Chen had executed a decisive strike that left Pereira with a bloodied face.

In the crowd, one individual was particularly animated. That was the Black Dragon, positioned in the front row, filled with nearly uncontrollable excitement. "Yes! That's it! That's how to fight!" he shouted, his voice booming through the arena.

Ever since experiencing defeat at Pereira's hands, the Black Dragon had found himself subject to relentless online ridicule. Nicknamed "Dragon Slayer Warrior" and "Black Dragon Slayer," he had become a somewhat infamous figure. Outrageously, some individuals had even produced short videos that mocked him, portraying him as perpetually doomed to be pursued and challenged by Pereira, no matter what career he attempted.

Now, witnessing Pereira grapple in a vulnerable position, even if it was unrelated to him, stirred immense joy within the Black Dragon. His enthusiasm was mirrored by the friends surrounding him, who cheered for Ye Chen with excitement growing by the second.

The Black Dragon couldn't contain himself as he exclaimed, "I told you all along! I said that so long as Ye Chen is willing to wrestle and fight on the ground, Pereira can't stop him!"

Rogen shook his head in disbelief. "It appears that Ye Chen has completely seized control of this match. A fighter like Pereira, who excels in standing techniques, is now reliant on figuring out how to recover from this predicament. The question at hand remains—will Ye Chen introduce new offensive maneuvers?"

While speaking, Rogen altered his tone slightly. He had initially intended to point out Pereira's visible struggle; however, as an official commentator, he recognized the importance of maintaining a measured approach in his observations.

DC promptly interjected, "I've stated it before: if Pereira wishes to win this match, he must avoid engaging Ye Chen on the ground at all costs. The evolution of Ye Chen's ground game has been remarkable, but let's not forget; he has successfully defeated every ground master across both the lightweight and welterweight divisions."

This ongoing competition, with its thrilling dynamics and intense exchanges, kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Many wondered whether Pereira could recover and adapt to the rapidly shifting circumstances as Ye Chen showcased his abilities. Would the unfolding events provide Pereira with a chance to counter and reassert his standing dominance? Or would Ye Chen continue to capitalize on his opponent's vulnerabilities, ultimately leading to an unexpected triumph? The atmosphere crackled with tension, anticipation electrifying every spectator as the match evolved before their eyes.